In what ways can we prioritize God's will over material wealth today? Solomon’s Contrast: Riches Followed After Wisdom • 2 Chronicles 1:10–12 records Solomon asking for “wisdom and knowledge,” not money, power, or fame. • God responds: “I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory” (v. 12). • Verse 14 then notes the huge resources Solomon later held: “Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses”. • The sequence matters—wisdom first, wealth second. Solomon’s priorities aligned with God’s will before material prosperity arrived. Lessons From 2 Chronicles 1:14 • Abundance itself is not condemned; misordered love is. • The verse illustrates that wealth can coexist with devotion, provided devotion remains primary (compare Deuteronomy 8:18). • Chariots and horses symbolized security; Solomon’s trust, however, rested on God’s promise, not on military hardware (Psalm 20:7). Practical Ways To Prioritize God’s Will Over Wealth Today 1. Seek God first every day – Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” – Begin decisions—career, purchases, investments—by asking, “Does this advance His kingdom?” 2. Budget as stewards, not owners – Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” – Allocate earnings with prayer: firstfruits to the Lord (Proverbs 3:9-10), adequate provision for family, then wise generosity. 3. Give generously and cheerfully – 1 Timothy 6:18: “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous.” – Set percentage-based giving that grows as income grows, guarding the heart from clutching. 4. Adopt contentment as a discipline – Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” – Practice gratitude journaling; regularly recount answered prayers over purchased things. 5. Integrate vocation and calling – Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” – Choose employment that honors biblical ethics, even if it pays less, trusting God for provision. 6. Establish accountability – Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Share financial goals with a mature believer who will challenge motives and celebrate obedience. Safeguards For The Heart • Fast periodically from non-essential spending; let the pause expose hidden attachments. • Memorize verses like Matthew 6:24—“You cannot serve both God and money”—to recall when tempted. • Keep eternal perspective: Luke 12:15 warns that life does not consist in possessions. Promises God Makes To Those Who Put Him First • Provision: “All these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). • Peace: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast” (Isaiah 26:3). • Eternal reward: “Storing up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:19). Ordering life like Solomon—wisdom and God’s purposes first—frees us to handle resources without being ensnared by them, demonstrating trust that God Himself is our greatest wealth. |
    |